36.5 hours per week term time only, hybrid: home/in person working, hours may vary depending on meetings; some evening work will be required
Key Responsibilities
Support the efficient operation of the trust board, committees, and local governing boards, including clerking meetings for all. Ensuring governance at all levels is functioning appropriately:
Lead governance framework development and continuous improvement
Managing and coordinating the delivery and ongoing improvement of governance support across the trust
Collaborate with leadership to ensure compliance and alignment with strategic priorities
Acting as the lead adviser on issues relating to the governance of schools and the trust
Developing and implementing the MAT’s strategy for effective governance support services
Assessing capacity and developing the structure in line with organisational growth
Maintain effective communication with governing bodies and external stakeholders
Manage statutory filings, liaise with Companies House, and maintain GIAS records
Ensuring Disclosure and Barring (DBS) checks are completed for all members, trustees and Governors
Clerking for any other meetings e.g. disciplinary and grievance if required
Provide Advice and Guidance
Provide expert governance advice, ensure compliance with legal frameworks, support risk-informed decision-making, and oversee policy development and strategic implementation:
Provide expert advice on governance structures, procedures, and legal frameworks
Ensure risk-informed decision-making and governance interventions
Promote best practices in school governance
Fulfil company secretary responsibilities
Ensuring that all relevant procedures/policies are signed off by all Committees in time for implementation
Advising on policy development and strategic oversight of the Trust Policy Framework
Guiding trustees on compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook, Articles of Association, and Governance Handbook
Developing Governance
Clerk meetings of the trust board, its committees, and local governing boards ensuring these enable the successful delivery of strategic objectives by:
Keeping the board focused on its core strategic priorities, their strategic leadership responsibilities, and their duty to maintain the highest professional standards of conduct and ethics
Plan and manage trust board and committee meetings and prepare focused agendas
Satisfying all aspects of meeting compliance as stipulated in the trust’s articles of association, scheme of delegation, and the Academy Trust Handbook, and in accordance with arrangements agreed by the board
Developing governing structures, particularly in relation to committee structures and the scheme of delegation, and routines across schools and monitoring effectiveness
Ensuring governing structures are developed in parallel with organisational growth strategies
Developing, reviewing, and maintaining governance documents, such as articles of association, schemes of delegation, terms of reference, role descriptions, and code of conduct
Maintaining registers of trustees, members, board interests, and committee membership
Developing record management and communication methods that are fit for purpose and maintain confidentiality
Oversee board self-evaluation and external reviews
Lead governance induction and CPD programs
Developing and overseeing systems for board self-evaluation and review, including commissioning of external reviews
Leading on Compliance
Manage information and documentation that clearly details the trust’s governance arrangements and satisfies other statutory requirements, including (but not limited to):
Maintain trust governance records and oversee policy compliance
Advising on policy review and approval cycle
Ensuring copies of statutory policies and other statutory documents such as the scheme of delegation and register of interests are published as agreed (on the trust and/or school website) and in line with statutory requirements
Ensure compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook e.g. Articles of Association, and the Academy trust Governance guide
Ensure governance risks are captured in the trust risk register
Supporting production of the annual report and governance statement published with the trust’s annual accounts
Managing the flow of information between the trust board, academy committees, members, and local governing boards
Developing trust-specific documents such as a governance code of conduct and skills matrix
Maintaining the trust’s online governance portal or equivalent
Ensuring the application of policies, procedures, and relevant legislation/guidance across the trust
Administer Freedom of Information (FOI), Subject Access Requests (SARs) and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA’s) in collaboration with our Data Protection Officer
Oversee the Trust Policy Framework, ensuring alignment with legal requirements
Managing the trust websites uploads and information, audit and compliance
Leadership Management
If applicable effectively recruit, train, and oversee governance support staff whilst managing budgets, resources, and succession planning to ensure strong organisational leadership:
Recruit, train, and manage governance support staff
Provide performance management and succession planning
Manage governance-related budgets and resources
Provide administrative support to the trust leadership team and chair of trustees
Developing and Maintaining Productive Working Relationships
Develop and maintain productive working relationships whilst maintaining independence by:
Working collaboratively and holistically with stakeholders in and outside of the organisation so that governance supports and enables the operational delivery of strategic objectives
Ensuring relevant authorities are notified of changes to membership and governance structures as appropriate
Being a role model for effective and ethical governance
Providing coordinated support
Acting as a central point of contact
Providing advisory support to boards
Being an expert resource for the wider organisation
Quality assuring advice - acting as a high-level resource
Responding to issues including concerns and complaints related to governance
Facilitating networks and communication between governing boards
Feeding into annual appraisal
Delivering Wider and Targeted Support
Lead governance recruitment, training, and self-evaluation initiatives while ensuring compliance with legal and statutory obligations through effective systems and controls:
Oversee recruitment and induction for governance tiers
Lead CPD and governance training initiatives
Organise governance self-evaluations and targeted interventions
Monitor compliance with schemes of delegation and statutory obligations
Ensuring systems and controls are in place to comply with obligations under education legislation, funding agreements, charity legislation, company law, data protection legislation, safeguarding guidelines, and health and safety legislation
Professional Development
Continuing professional development in the role should include:
Liaising with relevant professional organisations and networks
Carrying out the duties of a company secretary
Advising the board of trustees on their role, constitutional and procedural matters
Stay updated on governance policy developments
Engage in professional training and performance management
Maintain statutory governance records and ensure compliance with Companies House and GIAS requirements
Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as required
Person Specification
Knowledge
* extensive knowledge of the trust system
* extensive knowledge of governance law, structures, policy and practice in all types of schools
* awareness of current issues relating to the governance of schools and academy trust
Skills
* high level communication and IT
* highly organised and able to manage workload effectively to meet organisational priorities and deadlines
* high level strategic planning
* decision-making based on intelligent assessment of risk and benefits
* interpersonal/relationship building/stakeholder engagement skills
* leadership and line management: planning and coordinating the work of others
* relevant School and Academy Governance qualification or equivalent
* school and Academy Governance training
Attributes
* personal integrity and commitment to the principles of public life
* respecting confidentiality
* confidence and influence as a senior leader
* can manage and make decisions independently
* ability to lead by example, coach, motivate and inspire others
* agile thinker
* calm and resilient under pressure
* flexible approach to work
* commitment to CPD and modelling this to others
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